Chris Larson’s Statement on Corporate Interest Loophole in New Campaign Finance Law

"Wisconsin should follow our long tradition of open, transparent government. The latest changing of the rules by Republicans currently in power shuts the public out of what their government is up to and why."

MILWAUKEE – January 9, 2016 – Today State Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), candidate for Milwaukee County Executive, released the following statement regarding the new campaign finance law passed by Republican lawmakers in Madison. The law allows corporations, for the first time ever, to contribute up to $12,000 a year directly to political parties without requiring them to disclose who they receive the money from or how they spend it.

“Wisconsin isn’t for sale. The very rich shouldn’t be able to buy power, whether it is through undisclosed corporate contributions or through unlimited personal contributions to their own campaigns, like Donald Trump and Chris Abele do.”

“Wisconsin should follow our long tradition of open, transparent government. The latest changing of the rules by Republicans currently in power shuts the public out of what their government is up to and why.

“No wonder citizens are losing faith in their government. Without strong campaign finance laws, extremely wealthy special interests will have more power than elected representatives of the people.

“While this campaign finance loophole exists, I am encouraging both parties to disclose all contributions to protect the integrity of Wisconsin’s election process.

“Wisconsin citizens want transparency regarding the funding of campaigns. They don’t want a handful of wealthy individuals buying political power through a secret flow of undisclosed contributions. Under the new law, the interests of millionaires and billionaires are the only interests being protected, not the interests of hard-working Wisconsin families.